Kazakhstan estimates oil production shortfall at about 6 million tonnes

Kazakhstan has left about 6 million tonnes of oil unproduced in 2026 because of an accident at the Tengiz field and problems involving the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin said on October 13.

The national economy minister clarified that the oil had not been physically lost. It remained underground but was not contributing to economic activity. His figure describes an estimated production shortfall, rather than the volume of an oil spill.

A fire involving electrical transformers disrupted Tengiz operations in January. Production was suspended and resumed by January 31. A separate operational disruption occurred at the field in late May.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s Black Sea terminal also suspended loading after attacks involving tankers in July. Kazakhstan’s Energy Ministry subsequently reported lower production following the interruption. Its August estimate of losses linked to attacks on consortium infrastructure was 3.5 million tonnes. Zhumangarin’s latest estimate covers the combined impact of consortium problems and the Tengiz accident.